KQ joins war against wildlife poaching

Nairobi, February 10, 2013 – Kenya Airways has joined the war against wildlife poaching in a new partnership with Born Free Foundation, an international charity.

The airline unveiled the deal today at the Nairobi National Park. Under the deal, the two organisations will not only contribute towards anti-poaching campaigns and conservation of wildlife in Africa, but also partner to raise funds for such initiatives.

Kenya Airways Group CEO, Titus Naikuni, said that the airline had entered the partnership to make a contribution towards conservation of African wildlife.

“With the threat facing wildlife, which is our heritage in Africa, it is important for the private sector to get more involved in stopping the vice,” Dr Naikuni added.

The partnership comes in the wake of a surge in wildlife poaching across Africa with elephants and rhinos among the worst hit. Concern is growing amongst conservationists that the endangered African Elephant is currently grappling with what could be the worst crisis to ever hit them since 1989 when international commercial trade in ivory was prohibited.

Ms Virginia Mckenna - Founder and trustee of Born Free Foundation shakes hands with Dr Naikuni after the signing ceremony held the at Nairobi National Park

A report released by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) indicated that elephant poaching levels were the worst in a decade and recorded ivory seizures are at their highest levels since 1989. In Kenya, which experts consider a key gateway for ivory smuggling rings leaving Africa, there have been several incidents of ivory seizures and recovery of wildlife carcasses in recent days.

Rhinos have also been hard hit by poaching and only five species remain, out of the original dozens. In South Africa, rhino poaching has been at an all-time high. In 2012, 668 rhinos were killed and a further 57 in January alone.

The founder of Born Free Foundation, Virginia McKenna said that it requires joint efforts from different players to mount a successful war against wildlife poaching and other such vices.

“The private sector in Africa should take a more critical role in preventing animal suffering and protecting the endangered species,” Ms McKenna added.

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About Kenya Airways

Kenya Airways, a member of the Sky Team Alliance, is a leading African airline flying to over 50 destinations worldwide, 40 of which are in Africa and carries over three million passengers annually. It continues to modernize its fleet with its 39 aircraft fleet being one of the most modern in Africa. The on-board service is renowned and the lie-flat business class seat on the wide-body aircraft is consistently voted among the world’s top 10. Most recently it has scooped top awards at the Africa Investor (Ai) Tourism Investor Awards and was declared the Business Airline of the Year in Africa. Kenya Airways takes pride for being in the fore front of connecting Africa to the world and the World to Africa through its hub Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.